Two of the great Bulgarian jazz musicians - the vocalist Mimi Nikolova and the saxophonist, lecturer, composer and arranger Dimitar Simeonov received the highest awards of the capital - the title Honorary Citizen of Sofia. The proposal was made by Jazz FM and the nominations were submitted to the Metropolitan Council by the Union of Bulgarian Musicians and Dancers.
Mimi Nikolova is the legendary singer who filled with emotion the eternal songs Be silent, be silent and When the Moon Emerges". She is the first winner of the Golden Orpheus Grand Prize with the song Kaliakra by the composer Angel Zaberski. Mimi Nikolova has also recorded hundreds of studio songs for popular films – such as Favorite 13, Escape to Ropotamo, The Wind of Travels, etc.
"Sofia is my favorite city - I would never leave it. It's so nice - green, beautiful. I will always carry it in my heart! I really love Sofia. Everyone who has come to Sofia falls in love with the city. And so, I am happy that I received this award - Honorary Citizen of Sofia. I'm sure I will not sleep tonight! It is wonderful! I am very grateful to you who have proposed me and to the people who voted. This is an enormous honor for me!", Mimi Nikolova shared after receiving the award from the chairman of the Sofia Municipal Council Elen Gerdjikov and the mayor of Sofia Yordanka Fandakova.
Dimitar Simeonov plays mainly the saxophone, but also the violin and the conga in Jazz Mlada Gvardia, Jazz of the Young, Jazz of the Optimists. He is among the founders of the Big Band of the Bulgarian National Radio and has been playing in the Sofia Orchestra since the creation of the band until his dissolution. From 1972 to 1984, he was the head of the orchestra. He then heads the Silver Arms Popcorn Army. Dimitar Simeonov is the first saxophone teacher at the Conservatory.
"I was born in Sofia and the Sofia orchestra was the dearest to me, so I stayed in it for 20 years. I love the fact that the people of culture have gathered here and the Sofia citizens are very smiling, cheerful people."- said Dimitar Simeonov to the Jazz FM radio after the ceremony.
Mimi Nikolova and Dimitar Simeonov are among the participants of the Jazz FM project, Jazz Stories, aimed at telling and preserving the history of Bulgarian jazz through the tales of its creators.
Contacts:
bTV Radio Group
Sales department
Sofia 1463
Bulgaria sq. No. 1
National Palace of Culture, 11th floor
Тel. (+359) 2 8039 090
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